The Nobel Prize in physics 2014 will be awarded for the invention of the blue LED. As a worldwide leading LED provider, OSRAM cordially congratulates the winners Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano und Shuji Nakamura for this award.

The blue LED enabled first white LED light

The red LED was already invented at the end of the fifties. A few years later, the green LED followed. But to mix white LED light at the end, the blue version was still missing. This development proved to be extremely difficult - until the three Japanese scientists realized the breakthrough in 1992.

“The invention of blue LEDs represents an extraordinary milestone in the recent history of technology. It’s one of the most efficient light sources. Blue LEDs are the basis for white LEDs. Additionally, you can also produce blue lasers with the same technology. The latest highlight in this respect is the laser-based front headlight for cars,” said Dr. Klaus Streubel, Head of R&D at OSRAM.

OSRAM has been active in the LED industry for more than 40 years. Today, the company is not only a market but also a technology and innovation leader in many technically related areas including laser lighting.